The Hope College Wind Ensemble will present an afternoon concert with a Halloween theme on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 3:30 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The performance will open with the "Toccata and Fugue in d minor," by Johann Sebastian Bach. Additional works will include "Ghost Train," by Eric Whitacre; "Mars," by Gustav Holst; "Shadow Rituals," by Michael Markowski; the "Imperial March" from "Star Wars," by John Williams; and the "Harry Potter Symphonic Suite," also by John Williams. Original student works from the department of art will also be on display.
The ensemble is also holding a "Ghostly Petting Zoo" starting immediately after the concert. People will have a chance to meet the performers, play on instruments, vote for the "scariest" instrument and get candy. The event has been scheduled as an opportunity for children to learn about musical instruments, and costumes are recommended.
The college's "Safe Halloween" featuring trick-or-treating at eight residence halls for area children will follow in the evening, running from 6 to 7 p.m.
The Hope College Wind Ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Gabe Southard, who completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in conducting at MichiganStateUniversity. Prior to his residence at MSU, he served as wind symphony conductor and flute studio teacher at the University of Michigan-Flint, where he also taught orchestration, music appreciation and advanced conducting. While living in Cincinnati, Ohio, Southard served as conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble from 1999 to 2002. Under his direction, CYWE toured England and Scotland, taking first place at the Bournemouth International Musicmakers Festival; completed a compact disc of the works of Mark Camphouse; and was invited to perform at the Ohio Music Educators Regional Conference.
Dimnent Memorial Chapel is located at 277 College Ave., on College Avenue at 12th Street.